Kalopanax septemlobus var. maximowiczii (k.pictus)

Castor aralia is a very rare tree from southeastern Asia. It has a dangerously looking spiny trunk with thorns whose number reduces as the plat gets older.

Maximowiczii is a variety with exotic looking, extremely deeply lobed, almost dissected leaves that are upto 30 cm long. They are mid green, turning yellow and brown in autumn.

Flowers are produced in umbel-like dense panicles in mid summer. This tree grows as one stem or a multistemmed plant, forming a crown from short horizontal branches in later years. It grows moderately to slowly.

It is soil pH tolerant. It prefers deep, humus-rich, moist soil and full sun. It is pest and disease resistant. Fully hardy to about -34°C (USDA zone 4).

Last update 13-01-2008.